Ohio University impacts sustainability in the greater Athens area
Photo via Audree Howell/The New Political
This article was published in The New Political’s 2025 Fall Print.
Situated in the rolling hills of Appalachia, Athens, Ohio has managed to maintain the presence of a vibrant community, university and environment. The community’s link to its regional identity, history and culture is reflected in their passion for seeking a stronger bond with the environment.
At Ohio U, research and community initiatives for sustainability practice have been becoming more and more popular. Ohio U has numerous activities that are centered on the issue of campus sustainability. The question is posed by a number of community members of what resources lie for the rest of Athens residents.
The local neighborhood that exists outside the university's brick paths,solar-paneled rooftops and yards has a completely different reality. Athens County still grapples with financial problems and remains dependent on coal and natural gas, which is the most economically friendly, yet not the most sustainable. While Ohio U has set a goal to cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2026 and to become carbon-neutral by 2050, several residents of the community are skeptical about whether it will make a significant difference for the surrounding county. When surveyed, residents said they did not see or feel the change, nor did they hear much about the initiatives set in place by the university.
Ohio U has many sustainability initiatives in place, the most prevalent being one spanning from 2021 into 2026, the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. The university’s sustainability programs focus on energy, waste, food, transportation and other broad-scale impacts. The action plan for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and increasing sustainability in campus operations is estimated to last over five years. The plan aims for reduction of greenhouse gases and carbon neutrality goals and focuses on eliminating emissions from purchased energy to enhance building efficiency.
The action plan prioritizes sustainable infrastructure by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and protecting existing facilities while also encouraging waste reduction and support for the local food economy. Furthermore, it integrates sustainability into the curriculum for students through experiential learning, employee development and ensuring that students, professors and staff are actively engaged in promoting environmental change. When this portion of the plan was mentioned to Athens residents, they mentioned that they wanted to see more support for local food systems, as well as adding in community gardens and promoting the farmers market.
All members of the Ohio University Sustainability Network and the Office of Sustainability are dedicated to sustainable practices. The Sustainability Network serves as a “hub” for communication among various sustainability-focused groups at the university and in the larger Athens community. It outweighs the constraints of small-scale initiatives by linking more individuals, increasing outcomes and encouraging large-scale change. On the other hand, the Office of Sustainability is active in the university's climate Action Plan, assisting the campus community while ensuring that the institution meets its environmental, economic and social obligations.
A brief history of Ohio U’s sustainability commitments:
In 2021, the Ohio campus made a Sustainable Living Hub, a food, transportation and student-living program that serves as a model for future university and Athens area sustainability initiatives. The 2021-2026 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan is at the heart of these goals, with the priority of being carbon neutral by 2050 (up from the prior target of 2075). The project aims to reduce energy, heating, cooling, transport and paper use while also recycling 80% of campus waste.
In the past, Ohio U received national praise, from The Washington Post and Time, for its continuous environmental initiatives and being seen as Ohio’s most “Green campus. Key programs include maintaining renewable energy facilities, managing the biggest compost plant among higher education institutions in the United States, and diverting 100% of food waste from dining halls and the Central Food Facility. Ohio U also encourages sustainable living among students through the Eco House and the Sustainability Network. Since 2013, they have consistently recorded progress in annual sustainability and climate action reports, earning recurrent STARS Silver ratings while revising and strengthening long-term goals for campus sustainability and emissions.
Athens, Ohio, is a beneficiary of Ohio U sustainability initiatives, which have collaborated with the city on projects such as stormwater management and Athens Beautification Month, a yearly event in April during which volunteers clean and improve the Athens region. The university and city have developed a joint stormwater management program to comply with state laws by using a shared sewer system, while the Center for Community Engagement and Office of Sustainability work with locals during Beautification Month to revitalize parks, trails and other community spaces. The university's Office of Sustainability expands its neighborhood network and impact by offering people resources such as compost from its facilities.
Athens community impact:
Residents claim that full sustainability in Athens can be difficult to attain, that Ohio U's waste and energy initiatives do not always connect with local systems, and that ambitious targets have taken time to yield results.
While not completely interwoven, however, Ohio U's environmental initiatives have a positive influence on the Athens neighborhood. Residents value university-led programs that extend into the city, such as access to compost from the campus facilities, as well as job possibilities offered by green efforts. Partnerships between students, teachers and local non-government organizations help to enhance community ties, and many consider Ohio U as a sustainable model for local schools and companies.
Survey results show both obstacles and critiques. Some citizens believe that the university's projects benefit the campus rather than the entire county and economic differences can make green infrastructure seem out of reach, especially for rural areas. Furthermore, waste and energy programs do not always connect with local systems, and there are worries that Ohio U's sustainability goals appear aggressive on paper, but progress toward real-world effect has been slower than anticipated. There are some challenges and criticisms from the Athens residents, as they feel Ohio U's sustainability initiatives aid the community very sparingly or not at all.
In a poll distributed to Athens locals on the impact of Ohio University programs and the larger impact on Athens County as a whole, residents expressed decisive views about the university's support in the city's sustainability objectives, as well as a desire for greater partnership in the future.
When asked if they were aware of Ohio sustainability efforts such as the eco home, renewable energy projects and others, 63.6% indicated that they had heard of them but knew nothing about them. Most Athens locals learned about Ohio U's sustainability initiatives and programs by attending community events and communicating with other members, as well as through local news sources and media such as Facebook groups.
36% of people felt that Ohio U had an influence on environmental health issues such as air, waste management and reduction and water, as well as preserving community pride and reputation. When asked who gains the most from Ohio U's sustainability programs, locals say Ohio U students, teachers and staff, with 36% feeling no one benefits.
Residents were also asked if they trusted Ohio U to lead in sustainability for Athens County; around 45% said somewhat or not at all. In contrast, 72% of respondents stated they would certainly want to see increased collaboration between Ohio U and Athens locals.
Sustainability as part of an identity:
As an environmentally conscious city, Athens remains in conflict with the region's impoverished Appalachian regions. Despite the efforts of City Council and Ohio U, the county remains the same in terms of adaptation to sustainability goals.
However, the university distinguishes Athens from other Appalachian communities in Ohio. It has undoubtedly enabled the city to become an educational, cultural and environmental leader. This combination creates a unique dynamic in which these values and university-driven innovation both contribute to Athens' evolution as a symbol of Appalachia's issues and a hub of regional progress and collaboration.
Looking forward:
Sustainability at Ohio U is not just about the campus; it influences the entire county’s environmental and economic future. There are many ways Ohio U can collaborate with Athens to create a better environment for future generations to come. Ohio U and Athens can strengthen partnerships for a sustainable life.